You will need a UK transit visa if you:
- Are in transit to another country and have sufficient funds and the intention to travel onwards
- Have evidence to prove you can enter that country
- Can show that the only reason for your visit to the UK is for transit purposes
Full Answer
Do I need transit visa if I travel via London?
You usually only need a transit visa if you want to leave the airport as you have a long layover. 3. Re: Is Transit Visa Required at London (Heathrow) Airport? "You usually only need a transit visa if you want to leave the airport as you have a long layover."
Do I need UK transit or visitor visa?
you have the right documents for your destination (e.g. a visa for that country) The decision to allow transit without a visa is made by the immigration officer at the border. You do not need a transit visa if you have a valid UK visa or are a member of the GREAT club.
Is a visa needed for an US citizen to travel to UK?
Visas are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom and are usually applied for upon arrival. After you disembark from the plane, you will be standing in a line, or queue, awaiting a brief interview from the Immigration Officer who will stamp your passport with a visa set to expire six months from the date of entry into the U.K.
How to apply for a transit visa?
To apply for a transit or crew member visa, you must submit the following:
- A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form. ...
- A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements ...
- One (1) 2"x2" (5cmx5cm) photograph. ...

Who needs a UK transit visa?
You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you're: changing flights in the UK on your way to another country. going through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight. leaving the UK within 48 hours.
Can I travel to UK for transit without visa?
You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country). Check if you need one before you apply. To get a transit visa you must prove that: you'll be in transit to another country, with enough funds and the intention to travel on.
Who needs transit visa?
A foreign citizen proceeding in immediate and continuous transit through the United States to or from the United Nations Headquarters District, under provisions of the Headquarters agreement with the United Nations, requires a diplomatic transit (C-2) visa.
Do I need transit visa in Heathrow airport?
You usually only need a transit visa if you want to leave the airport as you have a long layover. "You usually only need a transit visa if you want to leave the airport as you have a long layover."
Is transit visa required for connecting flights?
Travelers transiting through India for less than 24 hours are advised to book the connecting flight on the same ticket as the flight to India. This way, there will be no need to leave the designated Transit Area in order to re-check luggage for the connecting flight, and so a transit visa will not be required.
Which countries can enter UK without visa?
Nationals of countries/territories who do not need a visa to enter the UK: All EU countries, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, ...
Which countries require transit visa for connecting flights?
Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Liberia, Mali, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Syria, Togo and Yemen. Holders of passports issued by the Palestinian Authority also require a visa.
What is the difference between a visa and a transit visa?
In general, tourist visas are issued to those who plan to vacation in the country, while transit visas are issued to those who are passing through en route to another destination. The U.S. State Department website maintains detailed travel guides, including visa information, for every country around the world.
What is transit without visa?
The Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Program allows eligible foreign nationals to transit through Canada without a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA).
How much does a UK transit visa cost?
You can also apply for a long-term Visitor in Transit visa if you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK in transit over a longer period. Direct Airside Transit visas cost £34. Visitor in Transit visas cost £62.
Do I need a transit visa in Heathrow to go from Terminal 5 to Terminal 2?
You will need a visa. It doesn't matter that you could use airside transit (Flight Connections) with carry on only.
How much does a UK transit visa cost?
You can also apply for a long-term Visitor in Transit visa if you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK in transit over a longer period. Direct Airside Transit visas cost £34. Visitor in Transit visas cost £62.
Can Indian citizens transit through UK?
Open for Travel: Yes Open For Travel Indians with valid UK visas (including a tourist visa) can now travel to UK. Visa processing takes around 6 weeks, option of priority visa with additional fees. Check here if you need a visa to pass through the UK in transit.
How do I get a transit visa?
You can apply for a transit visa by filling out the application for a Temporary Resident Visa and selecting transit visa from the list of options on the form. You may not need a transit visa if you are travelling to or from the United States.
Can I transit through UK with ID card?
EU citizens seeking to enter the UK, including in transit to another destination, require a valid passport. ID cards are no longer accepted for entry unless citizens are a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Overview
You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country). Check if you need one before you apply. To get a transit...
Direct Airside Transit visa
You might need a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) if you: will be changing flights in the UK on your way to another country will not go through U...
Visitor in Transit visa
You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you’re: changing flights in the UK on your way to another country going through UK border control, for...
Do you need a transit visa for UK?
If you are passing through a UK airport while on the way to another country, you may need to apply for a transit visa to enable you to continue you...
Can I get a UK transit visa at the airport?
No, you will need to apply for the transit visa at the UK embassy or visa application centre in your country before you travel.
How do I apply for a UK transit visa?
You apply for the transit visa by completing the online form and paying the application fee. You will then need to attend an interview where you wi...
How long do you have to stay in the UK to get a visitor visa?
You need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you’re staying in the UK for more than 48 hours.
What to do if you are not a resident of the country you are travelling to?
If you’re not a resident or national of the country you’re travelling to, you may need to explain why you’re going there. You may need to provide details of where you’re staying.
How long does it take to leave the UK?
leaving the UK within 48 hours. not working or studying while in the UK. You may not have to apply for a visa. What you need to do depends on your nationality and whether you need to enter the UK. Check if you need to apply for a visa.
What to do if you are not going through UK border control?
If you will not be going through UK border control, check if you need a Direct Airside Transit visa instead.
What do you need to bring to travel to the UK?
Bring your visa and documents with you when you travel through the UK.
What to do if you are not a resident of the country you are travelling to?
If you’re not a resident or national of the country you’re travelling to, you may need to explain why you’re going there. You may need to provide details of where you’re staying.
How to apply for a DATV?
To apply for a DATV, you must have a current passport or other valid travel document. You need to provide evidence that you’re allowed to enter the country you’re travelling to, such as a: residence permit. green card. valid visa. If you’re not a resident or national of the country you’re travelling to, you may need to explain why you’re going ...
Who makes the decision to allow transit without a visa?
The decision to allow transit without a visa is made by the immigration officer at the border.
When did the UK change its visa laws?
From 1 December 2014, the law is changing so you will have the option of either using a transit visa or using one of the ‘exemption’ documents listed below if you need to transit the UK as part of your travel.
What is an ADS visa?
a valid Schengen Approved Destination Scheme (ADS) group tourism visa where the holder is en route to the Schengen area; or
Do you need a visa to travel to the UK?
Nationals from certain countries* require a visa or exemption document to transit the UK, whether they are transiting airside (without passing through border control) or landside (passing through border control possibly to collect luggage or change airports).
How to apply for a transit visa?
You apply for the transit visa by completing the online form and paying the application fee. You will then need to attend an interview where you will provide supporting evidence of your transit plans, and submit your biometric information.
How long does a direct airside transit visa last?
Direct Airside Transit visas last for up to 24 hours, meaning the onward flight must be within 24 hours of your arrival in the UK. You cannot apply for this visa if you need to go through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage on to a connecting flight or to change airports.
How much does a DATV visa cost?
The DATV application typically costs £35, though this may vary depending on which country you are applying from. You apply online for a Direct Airside Transit Visa, unless you are applying from North Korea which requires a printed form. You will then make an appointment at the UK embassy or a visa application centre in your country.
What is a layover in the UK?
The UK immigration rules recognise two types of ‘layovers’: Airside – when you do not pass through UK immigration control for your connecting journey. Landside – when you do pass through UK border control, but return shortly (usually within 24 hours) to leave the UK. You will need a UK transit visa if you: Are in transit to another country and have ...
Is a long term visitor visa better than a standard visa?
If you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK in transit over a longer period, the long-term Standard Visitor visa may be a better solution.
Can I get a UK transit visa at the airport?
No, you will need to apply for the transit visa at the UK embassy or visa application centre in your country before you travel.
How to Apply for a UK Transit Visa?
When applying for a UK Transit Visa, you need to complete some procedures, which we have listed below step by step:
How many types of transit visas are there in the UK?
There are two UK Transit Visa types, which define the rules, criteria and requirements for such a visa, which are as follows:
How long does it take to leave the UK?
You will go through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight. You will be leaving the UK within 48 hours. You will be exempt from the requirement of getting a UK Transit Visa only if you have a:
What is a visitor in transit visa?
Visitor in Transit Visa. This type of visa is needed if you will pass through British border control but you intend to depart the country within 48 hours. You need a Visitor in Transit Visa if you are from a country that typically requires UK visitor visas (see above).
When will the EU change visa requirements?
There will not be any changes to visa requirements for EU nationals until at least December 31, 2020, when the Brexit transitional period is due to end. Until then, EU nationals can continue to travel to the UK without a visa for short trips and holidays.
Do I Need a Transit Visa for the UK?
If you typically need a visa to enter the UK as a tourist, you will also need a transit visa. However, there are two types of transit visas for the UK, and the requirements change depending on what country you are from:
Do I Need a Visa for the UK?
If you are from the US , an EU Member State, or certain Commonwealth countries, you do not need a visa for the UK for up to six months.
